Pope Francis’  funeral will be held on Saturday in St Peter’s Square, as decided by the Roman Catholic Cardinal. The solemn ceremony will draw leaders from around the world.

Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke and cardiac arrest. This ends his turbulent reign, which involves repeated clashes with traditionalists and public support for the poor and marginalised.

His body will be taken into the adjacent Saint Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday morning in a procession led by the Cardinals. His final rites will be performed early in the morning on Saturday, in front of the 16th-century Basilica. The ceremony will be presided over by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, the 91-year-old dean of the College of Cardinals. 

Trump’s Reaction

US President Donald Trump, who clashed with the Pope multiple times on immigration and other issues, said that he will be present at the funeral ceremony with his wife and children. Other heads of state who are likely to attend the ceremony are the presidents of Brazil, France, Germany, Poland, Ukraine and Argentina (Francis’ home nation).